An Idiot Abroad

[Q.]

Agree that it was funny in parts (like when he was retching on the toad), but it really irks me when I hear tourists whinge about the nuances of other countries and cultures. I call it 'Seppo Syndrome'.

[Gingernuts]

Agree that it was funny in parts (like when he was retching on the toad), but it really irks me when I hear tourists whinge about the nuances of other countries and cultures. I call it 'Seppo Syndrome'.

Agreed Q, normally grates me too - travelling in Europe last year with a busload of Aussies was embarassing. Just as bad, if not worse than Americans these days.

This show does it well though for some reason. I think it's the way they show shots of the amazing scenery and then his ridiculous reaction to it. Makes it very easy to dismiss him as a total fool.

[Swooper16]

Loved it when he is on the bus and they are all spitting and coughing into their plastic bags…then the lady shuts the curtain just as they arrive at the Great wall.

I concur wholehearted that its pretty poor form for people who go to other countries to then complain about the changes in culture.

However for me that’s the charm of this show in the fact that at no stage does Karl ever want to be put in these places and would be happier to remain in England. But those who have heard his podcasts would know he has a very unique take on life and makes funnier observations then probably any stand up comic going around at the moment.

One thing tho this show does do is ruin some of the myths or beauty I had envisaged about some of these places. I understand it is probably edited that way but when he goes to the Taj Mahal and from the front looks great but then they show him out the back of it..

[Gozu]

I agree with Quichey about calling it "whinging pom" but Pilkington's observational humour was still fantastic.
Especially when they were in the market area and that bloke was eating a boiled foetus.
"Here I am eating these (some form of chips) and I'm the odd one out here."

On a side note, I find Ricky Gervais' laugh annoying as hell.

Yeah but clearly the "whinging pom" aspect is meant to be a big part of the show in that he can't handle any other cultures.

With that boiled foetus scene I think he said something like "Here I am eating these (chips) and I'm the freak". I thought his observations of the woman tucking into the scorpions on a stick was hilarious as well as his visit to the public toilet something like "they started building the cubicles why couldn't they finish it off and put doors on them". The masseuse doing an ancient chinese massage burning him with the fire was pretty funny too.

[zipzap]

I agree with Quichey about calling it "whinging pom" but Pilkington's observational humour was still fantastic.
Especially when they were in the market area and that bloke was eating a boiled foetus.
"Here I am eating these (some form of chips) and I'm the odd one out here."

On a side note, I find Ricky Gervais' laugh annoying as hell.

Yeah but clearly the "whinging pom" aspect is meant to be a big part of the show in that he can't handle any other cultures.

With that boiled foetus scene I think he said something like "Here I am eating these (chips) and I'm the freak". I thought his observations of the woman tucking into the scorpions on a stick was hilarious as well as his visit to the public toilet something like "they started building the cubicles why couldn't they finish it off and put doors on them". The masseuse doing an ancient chinese massage burning him with the fire was pretty funny too.

Was that the episode where he was dry reaching? Always cracks me up

[Gozu]

A review of the first episode on Crikey's Laugh Track blog:

http://blogs.crikey.com.au/laughtrack/2 ... ot-abroad/

[RustyCage]

Gervais has the worst fake laugh ever

[Dissident]

Love the show. Watched it when it came out. Then again I love Gervais/Merchant.. and listened to all the podcasts and XFM radio shows around the middle of 2008. Got me through some tough times.

[Q.]

Casting aside my traveler snobbery and bearing in mind Pilko doesn't actually want to be there, it is actually a good larf. For a travel documentary it also gives some unique perspectives that run-of-the-mill docos wouldn't (and it most certainly did that tonight ).

[Gingernuts]

Casting aside my traveler snobbery and bearing in mind Pilko doesn't actually want to be there, it is actually a good larf. For a travel documentary it also gives some unique perspectives that run-of-the-mill docos wouldn't (and it most certainly did that tonight ).

The bloke wrapping his ol' fella around a walking stick was certainly an eye opener!

[Q.]

It truly is a strange world out there.

[Booney]

I thought Junior Boon ( 14 ) was going to wet himself when the bloke did that. Haven't seen him laugh so bloody hard...

[Gingernuts]

I thought Junior Boon ( 14 ) was going to wet himself when the bloke did that. Haven't seen him laugh so bloody hard...

The nude yoga poses were also quite 'confronting' to say the least.

[Booney]

Yes, Junior said the bloke was doing a good impression of a "chocolate donut".

[Gingernuts]

Yes, Junior said the bloke was doing a good impression of a "chocolate donut".

I'd already guessed he'd had curry for lunch, I didn't need proof.

[The Jack]

Funniest show on TV. Absolutely pi$$ed myself last night!

[Q.]

"You are in ze jungle"

"I know I am. I wish I wasn't."

[Gozu]

Not a bad show better than most of the pap they give us but for mine the show dropped off markedly after the first episode from China.

[Q.]

I thought last night's show was as good as any. His makeshift toilet chair was piss funny.

[Booney]

"I've never watched Tarzan and thought "...like to go there for a holiday"...always looks rubbish"

"Be a tough life being a stick insect, wouldn't it? Go wandering over "Hey then luv, what's up, how u doin' then?" and oh, it's a stick"